This week I am focusing of the tween girl. The first book I am profiling I found quite fascinating. I would actually encourage parents to read it as well. I think you and your daughter could have some fascinating discussions around the topic of virtual worlds. The other two series are what I define as "beach reads." These are fun books with smart girls, lots of action and little innocent romance on the side.
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Title: Bubble World
Author: Carol Snow
Target: Grades 6 and up
Series: No
What this book is about:
Fressia Summers lives in Agalinas, which is somewhere off the California coast, but where, Fressia is not exactly sure. Her life is ideal. She shops, goes to class (when the munchies are good) and attends parties well into the wee hours of the morning. However, one day she wakes up in an unfamiliar place. She is sitting in a lounge chair and staring in the mirror at a girl with bumpy skin and frizzy hair. It turns out her parents have put her in the virtual world of Agalinas to get a superior education, and to help her socially. Instead she has been living in a world outside of reality where no real learning takes place. As the true nature of Agalinas is exposed, Fressia’s (or should I say Francine’s) virtual and real world is shaken.
Fressia Summers lives in Agalinas, which is somewhere off the California coast, but where, Fressia is not exactly sure. Her life is ideal. She shops, goes to class (when the munchies are good) and attends parties well into the wee hours of the morning. However, one day she wakes up in an unfamiliar place. She is sitting in a lounge chair and staring in the mirror at a girl with bumpy skin and frizzy hair. It turns out her parents have put her in the virtual world of Agalinas to get a superior education, and to help her socially. Instead she has been living in a world outside of reality where no real learning takes place. As the true nature of Agalinas is exposed, Fressia’s (or should I say Francine’s) virtual and real world is shaken.
Why I love this book:
This book has received mixed reviews and while I definitely saw some of the flaws in the book, I thought that the story was compelling, unique and it totally engaged me. Perhaps I still remember what it was like to struggle in middle school and not feel particularly pretty or popular. The idea of a place where all that goes away, I found quite intriguing.
This book has received mixed reviews and while I definitely saw some of the flaws in the book, I thought that the story was compelling, unique and it totally engaged me. Perhaps I still remember what it was like to struggle in middle school and not feel particularly pretty or popular. The idea of a place where all that goes away, I found quite intriguing.
I found Fressia’s challenges true to life. The fact that she is so willing to go back to Agalinas when the opportunity presents itself, seemed very appropriate. Real life is hard and when you are young, an easy out feels very compelling. Fressia is also quite self centered at times, but given the world in which she has spent two years of her adolescence, it seemed appropriate.
Who this book is for:
Really interesting book for girls. As much fun as it is to leave reality for a while, in the end, home is thankfully the more fulfilling choice.
Really interesting book for girls. As much fun as it is to leave reality for a while, in the end, home is thankfully the more fulfilling choice.
Final thoughts:
The lyrics to Barbie Girl kept playing in my head the whole time I was reading this book!
The lyrics to Barbie Girl kept playing in my head the whole time I was reading this book!
To purchase this book from Amazon, click on the following link: Bubble World
A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.
Title: I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You
Author: Ally Carter
Target: Grade 6 and up
Series: Yes
A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.
Title: I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill YouAuthor: Ally Carter
Target: Grade 6 and up
Series: Yes
What this book is about:
Cammie is a sophomore at Gallagher Academy, which it turns out is a top secret boarding school for spies in training. Cammie can speak numerous languages, kill a man with her bare hands, and has read The Art of War - in Chinese. However, the one language she can’t speak is boy. As she and her friends navigate the world of covert operations, it is her crush on a boy in town that tests all her skills. The one problem, he can never know the truth about her.
Why I love this book:
I am a fan of Ally Cater’s other series, Heist Society but I had never ventured into this one. For some reason the covers just turned me off. I thought they would have a little too much of the girl angst vibe. I was surprised at how funny this book turned out to be. They are really a light hearted romp in the world of teens coupled with a fun spy premise.
This is a book I would have loved as a tween. Just enough humor and action to keep the story moving well, with a little innocent boy romance around the edges.
Who this book is for:
Girls who like more typical tween fare will love this fanciful story.
Final thoughts:
I so wish I could go to spy school!
To purchase this book from Amazon, click on the following link: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls)
A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.
To purchase this book from Amazon, click on the following link: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls)
A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.
Title: Oh My GodsAuthor: Tera Lynn Childs
Target: Grades 6 and up
Series: Yes
Phoebe is a runner, it is what she lives for. She is about to start her senior year of high school and has plans to run for USC. However, when her mother comes home and announces that she is marrying a Greek stranger who runs an exclusive boarding school on an island in the Aegean, Phoebe has her doubts. She is uprooted to a school, which it turns out, is an institution for the descendants of the Greek gods. Since Phoebe is just a regular girl, she has to fit in with a group of kids who possess super powers. How will she ever get to USC now?
Why I love this book:
Why I love this book:
Ok, while this book will not win any distinguished book awards, it is absolutely the stuff beach reads are made of. There is a beautiful setting off the coast of the Aegean, conflict with cunning girls and a really cute boy. I absolutely got caught up in the fun of the story.
I also like the main character Phoebe. She is an athlete who isn’t focused on the latest trends but on just being herself and doing what she loves to do. A nice role model. The premise is a bit far fetched, but all in good fun.
I also like the main character Phoebe. She is an athlete who isn’t focused on the latest trends but on just being herself and doing what she loves to do. A nice role model. The premise is a bit far fetched, but all in good fun.
Who this book is for:
Good girl read and also some nice tie ins with Greek mythology if there is an interest there.
Final thoughts:
Final thoughts:
Absolute chick lit!
To purchase this book from Amazon, click on the following link: Oh. My. Gods.
A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.
To purchase this book from Amazon, click on the following link: Oh. My. Gods.
A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.
I love "I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You!" If you are a tween looking for a fun, summer horse book, check out "Red Rock Ranch" by Brittney Joy -- http://www.brittneyjoybooks.sqsp.com/
ReplyDeleteRed Rock Ranch by Brittney Joy -- "Sixteen year old Lucy Rose is spending her first summer away from home and she has two things on her mind: an abandoned, violent horse and a blue-eyed cowboy. Only neither is hers..."